The 2026 NBA Draft is here.
The Detroit Pistons will have the No. 21 overall pick in the first round on Tuesday, June 23 (8 p.m., ABC/ESPN).
It’s a draft especially strong at the top, where the Washington Wizards have the No. 1 pick and are thought to be eyeing BYU’s AJ Dybantsa, but also deep through the rest of the first round. The Pistons will look to add a contributor after the third 60-win season in franchise history – and a second-round loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA playoffs.
Here’s how I think the first round may shake out, and who the Pistons could target.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-9, BYU.
2025-26 averages: 25.5 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 51% shooting overall.
The buzz: One of the best pure shotmakers in any recent draft, Dybansta has the tools to be a day-one superstar.
: Darryn Peterson, G
- Vitals: Freshman, 6-6, Kansas.
2025-26 averages: 20.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 1.4 steals, 43.8% overall, 38.2% from 3.
The buzz: After trading for former Memphis Grizzlies star (and ex-Michigan State big man) Jaren Jackson Jr., Peterson is a natural fit as a go-to scorer next to Keyonte George.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-10, Duke.
2025-26 averages: 22.5 points, 10.2 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.4 steals, 55.6% shooting, 39.1% from 3.
The buzz: Boozer is one of college basketball’s most productive players ever – an offensive hub who sees the floor as well as any point guard, plows through defenders at the rim and knocks down 3-pointers at a high clip.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-11, North Carolina.
2025-26 averages: 19.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks, 1.5 steals.
The buzz: The Bulls need a superstar, and Wilson – a bouncy, athletic forward with an innate feel for finding the hoop – may have the most upside of anyone outside the top three.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-6, Illinois.
2025-26 averages: 17.9 points, 5.1 reboundss, 4.2 assists.
The buzz: NBA teams widely view the top four of this draft as locked in. The draft begins to open up here, and Wagler is a compelling option as a big guard who shoots the ball and sees the floor at high levels.
Darius Acuff Jr., G
Vitals: Freshman, 6-2, Arkansas.
2025-26 averages: 23.5 points, 6.4 assists, 48.4% shooting, 44% from 3.
The buzz: A Detroit native and Cass Tech alumnus, Acuff is an elite shooter and ball-handler who should put up points in the NBA.
Kyrie? Kawhi? Kevin? They’d sell Pistons tickets. But would they win?
: Mikel Brown Jr. , G
- Vitals: Freshman, 6-3, Louisville.
2025-26 averages: 18.2 points, 4.7 assists.
The buzz: In a league that values shooting, Brown is a strong choice for a Kings team in need of young talent.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-4, Houston.
2025-26 averages: 16.1 points, 5.2 assists, 1.5 steals.
The buzz: In what’s likely to be a long line of guards in the first round, Flemings stands out because of his elite speed and relative lack of holes in his game.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-5, Arizona.
2025-26 averages: 16.1 points, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals.
The buzz: A year after drafting Cooper Flagg No. 1 overall, the Mavericks need to surround him with talent. Burries has strong two-way potential as one of the better defensive guards in this class, as well as a strong shooter (39.1% from 3) who can make plays with the ball.
Vitals: Junior, 7-3, Michigan.
2025-26 stats: 12.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.6 blocks.
The buzz: After trading Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat overnight, Mara checks multiple boxes for the Bucks in the middle – a gifted passer for his size who also is arguably the top rim protector in the draft, standing a massive 7 feet 3.
Vitals: Senior, 6-10, Michigan.
2025-26 averages: 15.1 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.2 blocks, 1.1 steals.
The buzz: The Warriors are in win-now mode as they try to maximize the end of Steph Curry’s career. Lendeborg widely is seen as one of the highest-floor players in the class.
Vitals: Junior, 6-10, Michigan.
2025-26 averages: 13.1 points, 7.3 rebounds.
The buzz: The third Michigan player off of the board, Johnson could contribute immediately for the championship contender as a versatile defender and bruising offensive weapon.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-10, Tennessee.
2025-26 averages: 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists.
The buzz: The Bucks just got this pick from the Heat. Though Ament’s efficiency underwhelmed (39.9% overall, 33.3% from 3), he could thrive as a big forward who drew fouls at a high rate, has good shot mechanics and showed flashes of being able to make plays with the ball.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-11, Washington.
2025-26 averages: 18.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 1.1 steals.
The buzz: Though he has “tweener” concerns on the defensive end, Steinbach is the strongest rebounder in this class and an efficient interior scorer, making him a logical option for a Charlotte team lacking size.
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-6, Baylor.
2025-26 averages: 18.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 2.6 assists, 1.3 blocks.
The buzz: Carr is one of the best, purest “3-and-D” prospects in the first round – a skilled outside shooter who hit 37.4% of his 3s, an explosive above-the-rim athlete and a capable defender due to his huge wingspan and knack for blocking shots.
Vitals: Junior, 6-8, Texas.
2025-26 averages: 17.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals.
The buzz: Swain has a unique archetype as an NBA wing – a prolific downhill driver with the size and strength to finish through many defenders, and a capable passer.
Vitals: 6-10, New Zealand Breakers.
2025-26 averages: 11.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.2 steals, 1 block.
The buzz: The Thunder go 2-for-2 by adding another young, versatile forward that can bring size and physicality to their guard-heavy rotation.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-11, Houston.
2025-26 averages: 9.5 points, 7.9 rebounds.
The buzz: The Hornets double down on bigs and go with Cenac, who is still finding his game on both ends but has the tools to be a long-term piece at power forward or center.
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-3, Alabama.
2025-26 averages: 22 points, 5 assists, 1.2 steals.
The buzz: Add Philon to the long list of multi-faceted guards in this class. He shot 50.1% overall and 39.9% from 3, and was more than comfortable taking shots from any part of the floor.
Vitals: Senior, 6-3, Iowa.
2025-26 averages: 19.8 points, 4.4 assists, 1.4 steals.
The buzz: The Spurs have ball-handlers, but none who are also good 3-point shooters. Stirtz is a true floor general and a strong shooter, especially off-ball, and could thrive as a strong fit alongside Victor Wembanyama and Dylan Harper.
Allen Graves, F
Vitals: Freshman, 6-8, Santa Clara.
2025-26 stats: 11.8 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 0.9 blocks, 0.9 steals, 51.2% shooting, 41.3% from 3.
The buzz: Among the Pistons’ needs to address this offseason – a rotation power forward who eventually can take over from Tobias Harris, reliable 3-point shooting and a capable ball-handler who can take pressure off Cade Cunningham. In Graves, they may be able to check all three boxes while also sticking to their “best player available” mindset.
Though he came off of the bench for No. 10-seed Santa Clara, Graves’ analytics elevate him to a potential first-round target. He was highly productive in just 22.6 minutes per game, scoring efficiently both inside and from the arc with quick and accurate passing reads (just 0.7 turnovers per game), healthy block and steal numbers and a knack for rebounding.
Vitals: Senior, 7-0, North Carolina.
2025-26 averages: 17 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.2 blocks, 42.6% from 3.
The buzz: The 7-footer was a strong interior finisher and also consistently knocked down 3-pointers, giving Philadelphia a competent backup behind Joel Embiid.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-2, Stanford.
2025-26 averages: 23.2 points, 3.6 assists, 1.6 steals.
The buzz: The speedy guard had one of the quickest first steps in college basketball and lived in the paint, and could give the Hawks’ offense a need second floor general behind CJ McCollum.
Vitals: 6-7, Valencia.
2025-26 averages: 7.1 points, 2.7 assists.
The buzz: As one of the biggest playmakers in the draft, Larrea’s all-around versatility makes him a strong longterm depth piece for the defending champions.
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-10, Kentucky.
2025-26 averages: 5 points, 5 rebounds.
The buzz: Complications from a torn right ACL and meniscus in April 2025 ended up sidelining Quaintance for the majority of his sophomore season, but the upside is worthwhile for a Lakers team in need of center depth.
Christian Anderson, G
Vitals: Sophomore, 6-2, Texas Tech.
2025-26 averages: 18.5 points, 7.4 assists, 1.5 steals.
The buzz: This late in the draft, the Nuggets would do well by adding one of its best shooters. Anderson knocked down 41.5% of his 7.9 3-point attempts per game, and combines his deep range with savvy playmaking.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-8, Arizona.
2025-26 averages: 14.1 points, 5.6 rebounds, 1.6 assists.
The buzz: Though his outside jumper is questionable, Peat brings strong defensive chops and comes from a football family.
Vitals: Freshman, 6-4, Arkansas.
2025-26 averages: 15.6 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.5 steals.
The buzz: Thomas shot 41.6% from 3, takes care of the ball and is big enough to develop into a capable defender.
Vitals: Senior, 6-8, Iowa State.
2025-26 averages: 16.4 points, 7.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 1.6 steals.
The buzz: His jumper needs work, but Jefferson otherwise stuffed the stat sheet as one of the draft’s best passing forwards and would add depth to the Cavaliers.
Vitals: Senior, 6-11, UConn.
2025-26 averages: 14.7 points, 9 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 2 blocks, 0.9 steals.
The buzz: It was a breakout senior season for Reed, an all-around big man who played himself into the first round this past season.
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Contact Omari Sankofa II at osankofa@freepress.com. Follow him on X and/or Bluesky.
What: 2026 NBA Draft.
Fast facts: Tuesday, June 23-Wednesday, June 24; Barclays Center, New York.
TV: Round 1 – 8 p.m. Tuesday, ABC/ESPN; Round 2 – 8 p.m. Wednesday, ABC/ESPN.
Pistons’ pick: Round 1 – No. 21 overall; Round 2 – none.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: NBA mock draft picks and final predictions for 2026 first round
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